schaefer



Patented Apr. 25, |899.

J. V. SCHAEFEH. DEVICE FOR LOADING COAL.

(Application led Feb. 24, 1898.)

3 Shaets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

bs; u sm TH: Nonms paens ca, PHorrxLlrHn.. wAsHmoroN. u. c

No. 623,565. Patented Apr. l25, |899.

' J. V. SCHAEFER.

DEVICE FUR LOADING CUAL.

(Application led Feb. 24, 1898.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Patented' Apr. 25, |899.

J V SCHAEFER DEVICE FOR LOADING COAL. (Application led Feb. 24, 1898.) (No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet y3.

1H: Nonms PETERS co. wow-uno., wAsmNGToN. D. a

anni* einen.

JOI-INV. SCHAEFER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO TIIE LINK BELT MACHINERY COMPANY, SAME PLACE.

DEVICE FOR LOADING COAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 623,565, dated April 25, 1899.

Application led February 24, 1898. Serial No. 671,424. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN V. SOHAEFER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Devices for Loading Coal, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to devices for handling material-lsuch, for example, as coal-and has for its object to provide a new and improved device particularly adapted for loading such material into cars or the like.

My invention is illustrated in the accom-- panying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a side elevation, in part section and with parts omitted, showing one form of my device in position. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the device shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4. is a section on line 4. 4, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing a somewhat-modified construction.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several figures.

I have illustrated my invention as used in handlingcoal. When the co'al is hoisted, for example, from the mine, it is generally and preferably passed over a suitable screen or the like, by means of which the slack and smaller pieces are separated from the larger pieces. The screen is usually so arranged as to allow the large pieces, for example, to be discharged directly into the car or vehicle by which the coal is conveyed to the points where it is to be used. Under the existing circumstances it has been found desirable in many instances to use a vibrating or reciprocating screen in screening the coal, the movement of the screen acting to move the coal therealong.

My present invention consists in associating with a vibrating or reciprocating screen of any description an apron or extension or the like of novel construction and arrangement adapted to convey the coal from the screen to the car. This apron or extension is particularly adapted to be used in connection either with open cars or box-cars. In

the drawings I have shown only the extension and enough of the screen to show the attachment and operation of such extension,

the remaining parts of the mechanisms being omitted for the reason that they may be of any suitable construction and form no part of my present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, I have shown the lower end A of the vibrating or reciprocating chute or screen in position. The end of thischute or screen cannot be allowed to project out over the car-track,and hence some suitable extension must be connected therewith adapted to convey the coal to the car and also adapted to be moved out of the way when not in use. As illustrated in the drawings,I provide the chute or screen with the apron or extension B, adapted to be attached to the chute or screen, so as to reciprocate or move therewith, the extension being detachably attached, so that it may be released therefrom and moved to a position where it will be out of the way of the cars. This apron or extension is supported upon the cross-piece B', preferably attached by means of cords or chains B8 to the framework supporting the chute or screen, the cross-piece adapted to .be raised and lowered, so as to allow adjustment of the extension.

This cross-piece is preferably provided with rollers B2, upon which the extension rests, so that said extension or apron may be easily moved along the cross-piece when moved from its operative to its inoperative position, and vice versa. 'Suitable stops B3 are provided, which limit the movement of the rollers and cross-piece in one direction. Near the upper end of the apron or extension I provide projections Bt, adapted to pass between the holdingbrackets B5, fixed to the reciprocating chute or screen. Instead of the projections B4, I may provide any other suitable engaging device-as, for example, a rod which passes completely across the end of the apron. The extension or apron is preferably provided at its outer end with the folding flap or piece B6, and I prefer to connect the chute or screen A with the extension or apron B by means of the hinged inclined chute B7, thus preventing breakage of the coal. I may provide the chute or screen A with a series of holdingbrackets B5, so as to allow a change of position of the extension. In Fig. l I have shown the extreme end of the chute or screen as being also provided with a set of these brackets.

IOO

Below the extension Il provide the guides C, upon which rest the projections B1 or the end of the extension when said extension is in its inoperative position. \Vhen the extension is not in use, it is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. Vhen the coal is to be loaded into a box-car, the extension must be projected into the car, so that the coal may be deposited near the middle thereof. This necessitates a longitudinal movement of the apron or extension, so that it may be easily and quickly projected into the car and removed therefrom while suspended in proximity to the chute or screen. It is also desirable that the apron when in position should be attached to the reciproca-ting chute or screen, so as to be itself reciprocated, thus insuring the proper travel of the coal along the apron. \Vhen the box-car, for example,

has been moved into the proper position, theend of the extension is grasped and moved outwartglly and then downwardly, the movement being about the cross-piece B' as a pivot, and the entire extension is moved forward until the projections BI collie opposite the space between the brackets B5. rlhe outer end of the extension is then lowered, so as to move the projections into position between said brackets. This operation is easily accomplished, for the reason that the weight of the apron is carried by the suspended crosspicce BC The apron or extension is thus attached to the reciprocating chute or screen and is given a reciprocating motion due to this attachment, The flap B is then opened and the device is ready for use. The reciprocations of the screen insure the travel of the coal thereover and also allow the coal to travel slowly, so that it will not be injured by being too forcibly discharged into the car, as would result if the device were given sufficient inclination to insure the passage of the coal without the reciprocating movement. After the car has been loaded the end of the chute or screen is moved upwardly, such movement causing the upper end of the apron or extension to move downwardly, disengaging it from the reciprocating chute or screen. The extension is moved around the crosspiece B' as a support until the projections B4 come in contact with the guides C. Said extension is then moved longitudinally,rolling along the cross-piece B and sliding upon the guides C until it reaches the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. If, for example, an open car is to be loaded, the apron may be moved longitudinally until the projections B4 are inserted between the brackets B5 at the end of the screen. lVhen in this position, the outer end of the apron is in a higher plane and also projects farther outwardly. (See Fig. l.) The suspended cross-piece B' moves outwardly and allows theapron or extension to be easily moved to this position. It will thus be Vseen that the extension is movable both vertically and longitudinally.' The outer end may be moved vertically for adjustment by moving the suspended crosspiece B. Any suitable means may be provided-as, for example, a drum D, to which the end of the rope or chain BS is attached, said drum being provided with the operating-handle D'. 'j

In Fig. 5 I have shown a somewhat-modified construction. In this figure the extension B is shown longer, so as to project farther into the car, and I have only shown one set of brackets to which it is attached. The projecting parts B4 are simply the ends of a rod which passes completely across the end of the apron or extension. It will thus be seen that by this construction I am enabled to provide a reciprocating chtite or screen with a detachably-attached apron adapted to be used in loading box-cars as well as open cars, the apron or extension being given a reciprocating motion when attached to the chute or screen and being easily and quickly detached therefrom and withdrawn from the car. It will also be noticed that the apron is attached to a fixed point on the chtite orscreen, thus insuring the proper relation and operation of the several parts. It will be further seen that the extension is adj ustably held in position, so that it may be adjusted to correspond with the conditions met in the various cars to be loaded.

I have described in detail the several parts of my device herein illustrated; but it is of course evident that these parts may be greatly varied in form, construction, and arrangement without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the construction shown.

I have used the word chute in the claims, and I mean by this word to include screens or other conveying devices.

I claim- Y l. In a device for handling material, the combination with a movable chtite of a detachably-attached extension adapted, when attached to the chute,to be reciprocated thereby, said extension provided at its discharge end with a foldable flap' or part so that its length may be varied.

2. In a device for handling material, the combination with a movable chtite of an extension adapted to convey the material from the chute to the vehicle to be loaded, a fixed bracket or engaging device on said chute and means for detachably connecting said extension with said fixed bracket or engaging device so that the extension is reciprocated by the chute.

3. In a device for handling material, the combination with a movable chute of an extension adapted to convey the material from the chute to the vehicle to be loaded, said ex.- tension adapted to be attached to the chute so as to be moved thereby, a supporting-guide beneath said extension and adapted to receive the detached end thereof when said extension is moved to its inoperative position.

ft. In a device for handling material, the

ICO

IIO

IIS

ycombination with a vibrating chute of an eX- terial passes, a detaehably-attaehed eXtentension adapted to Convey the material from sion associated with said chute and adapted the chute to the vehicle to be loaded, a supto convey the material from the chute to the port for said extension so constructed that point Where it is to be delivered, said eXten- 15 5 said extension maybe moved longitudinally, sion adapted to be attached to and detached and means for attaching said extension to from said chute While the chute is Vibrating. said eh'ute or detaehing it therefrom after the JOHN V SCHAEFER. extension has been moved into its proper position with relation to said Vehicle. Vitnesses: lo 5. Adeviee for handling material, eompris- DONALD M. CARTER, ing` a vibratory chute along which the ma- [-IOMER L. KRAFT. 

